1. Introduction to Information Technology
Chapter 1
Information Technology, the Internet, and You
Mutah University
Faculty of IT, Department of Software Engineering
Dr. Ra’Fat A. AL-msie’deen
https://sites.google.com/site/ralmsideen/
2. Text Book
This material is based on chapter 1 of Computing Essentials 2014
Complete Edition. Copyright 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
4. Parts of an Information System
People: end users and information technology staff
Procedures: the rules or guidelines people follow when
using software, hardware, and data
Software: programs that tell the computer how to do its work
– they process data to convert it into information
Hardware: the equipment that processes the data to create
information
Data: the raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers,
images, and sounds.
Connectivity allows computers to connect and share
information
6. People
• People are the most important part of any information
system.
• Contact is …
– Direct
– Indirect
• Computer uses
– Business & Entertainment
– Education & Medicine
7. Software
• Software is another name for programs.
• Programs tell the computer how to process
data.
• Two major kinds of software
System Software.
Application Software.
8. 1. System Software
A collection of programs.
Enables the application software to interact with
the hardware.
Background software that helps the computer
manage its own resources.
9. Cont…
1. Operating Systems: Programs that coordinate computer
resources, provide an interface between the user and computer,
and run applications.
Examples include Windows XP and the Mac OS X
2. Utilities (service programs): Perform specific tasks
related to managing computer resources, such as de-fragmenting
disks, checking for viruses, etc.
3. Device Drivers: Specialized programs to allow particular
input and output devices to communicate with the rest of the
system, for example, a printer driver.
10. 2. Application Software
Application software is “end user” software.
1) Basic or General-purpose applications
• Also known as basic applications
• Examples include:
Browsers: to search the Internet and Web.
Word Processors: to create and edit documents.
Spreadsheets: to analyze and summarize numerical data
Database Management Systems (DBMS): organize and manage data
and information.
Presentation Graphics: communicate a message.
2) Special-purpose applications
• Include thousands of applications that are narrowly focused on a specific
profession or occupation.
• Some of the best known are graphics, audio and video, multimedia, web
authoring, and artificial intelligence programs.
11. Hardware
• Equipment that processes the data
• Controlled by software
• Physical devices
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Monitor
– Other devices
12. Hardware
Type of Computer:
1. Supercomputers: The most powerful type of computers
• Example: NASA uses supercomputers to track and control
space explorations.
2. Mainframe Computer: Not quite as powerful as
supercomputers, they still have great processing speeds and
storage capacity.
• Often fill up a specially wired and air-conditioned room.
• Typically used for business applications such as insurance
companies that process thousands of policy holder billing
statements.
13. Type of Computer (cont)
3. Minicomputers: Also known as midrange computers
• Work like a “small” mainframe
• Typically the size of a refrigerator
• A production department may use a minicomputer to
monitor manufacturing processes and assembly line
operations.
4. Microcomputer: The least powerful, but most widely used
computers.
• There are four main types of microcomputers:
1. Desktop.
2. Notebook or laptop.
3. Tablet PC.
4. Handheld.
14. Microcomputer
• Desktops: small enough to fit on top or along side your
desk, yet too big to carry around
• Notebooks (or laptops): portable, lightweight, fit in most
briefcases
• Tablet PCs: type of notebook that accepts your handwriting
on a specially designed input screen
• Handheld computers (or palm computers, Personal
Digital Assistants – PDAs): the smallest microcomputers,
typically combine pen input, handwriting recognition, personal
organizational tools, and communications capabilities in a
very small package.
16. Microcomputer Hardware
• System unit: Also known as the system cabinet or chassis
• Holds most of the electronic components that make up the computer,
including:
• Microprocessor (processor, Central Processing Unit – CPU):
• Memory primary storage, Random Access Memory – RAM)
• Input/output devices: Input device such as keyboard and mouse.
Output device such as Monitor and printer.
• Secondary storage:
• Communications: Used to connect and share information
from one computer to another.
• A Modem is a popular communication device used to connect
a computer to another using ordinary phone lines.
18. Document Files
• Created by word processors to save
documents such as memos, term papers,
and letters
19. Worksheet Files
• Created by electronic spreadsheets to
analyze things like budgets and to predict
sales
20. Database Files
• Typically created by database management
programs to contain highly structured and
organized data
21. Presentation Files
• Created by presentation graphics programs to save
presentation materials. For example, a file might
contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and
electronic slides.
22. Connectivity, the Wireless Revolution, and
the Internet
• Connectivity
– Sharing of information
– Wireless communication is becoming popular
• Computer networks
– Connected communication system of computers
– Largest network is the Internet
24. Introduction to Information Technology
Chapter 1
Information Technology, the Internet, and You
Mutah University
Faculty of IT, Department of Software Engineering
Dr. Ra’Fat A. AL-msie’deen
https://sites.google.com/site/ralmsideen/
Notes de l'éditeur
Used to describe facts about something
Contained in files for documents, worksheets, and databases
Document files - usually created by word processors
Worksheet files - electronic spreadsheets
Database files - electronic database management programs
Presentation files - electronic slide shows
Word processors are used to prepare written documents
Create text-based documents
One of the most flexible and widely used software tools
Features to make entering, editing, and formatting documents easy
Files created by spreadsheet programs
Uses functions and formulas to analyze numeric data
Manipulates numeric data
Features include workbooks, worksheets, cells, ranges, text and numeric entries, formulas, functions, charts, recalculation, and what-if analysis
A database management system (DBMS) or database manager is a program that sets up, or structures, a database
Files created by database management programs
Organizes data for efficient retrieval
Is the electronic equivalent of a file cabinet
It also provides tools to enter, edit, and retrieve data from the database
Used to create a variety of visual objects to create attractive, visually interesting presentations
Features include slides, AutoContent wizard, color schemes, slide layouts, special effects, master slides, and design templates
Presentation files may contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides
Connectivity is the capability of your microcomputer to share information with other computers
Wireless /mobile communication devices are more popular than ever
A network is central to the concept of connectivity
Ask students questions about the Internet. Here are some facts:
No one owns the Internet
There is no Internet, Inc.
The Internet is a network of networks
The Word Wide Web (WWW) provides multimedia interface to resources on the Internet
Using information technology means being computer competent
Understand how technology is being used today
Anticipate how technology will be used in the future